Through its network of experts, the symbiotic economy is working on defining a radically new, sustainable and economic model affirming the opportunity to develop a symbiotic relationship (mutually positive growth) between flourishing natural ecosystems and intense human activity, covering all economic fields.

The symbiotic economy is a new economic theory developed by Isabelle Delannoy based on the analysis of the economic innovations of the past 50 years, and it shows that a new economic paradigm is now within reach: growth through symbiosis.

It offers a radical new perspective for economic, ecological and social frameworks: it proposes to question no longer how we might minimize the impacts of efficient and viable economic production on the living world and human society, but rather how each product and each development can maximize its individual contribution towards regenerating this milieu.

Isabelle Delannoy

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy on a wide scale, recycling used materials… all this will help reduce our impact on the Earth, but it remains an extractive model. We can slow down our negative impact, live more sustainably on the planet, and yet the damage we have done will still be purveyed, as slowly and surely we diminish the capacities of our special home.

We will never be able to replenish supplies of oil taken from the Earth’s crust, nor rebuild the mountains devastated by mining. But the natural world – also so keenly undermined by human activity – still has a wealth of intelligence and solutions to share with us. Moreover, human engineers have invented extraordinary tools and machines to become a globally connected civilization, collectively constantly more conscious of our role as guardian and gardener.

We need to invent regenerative models that allow us to go beyond sustainability, each generation leaving the Earth a richer and more bountiful place than those who came before. We need to harness humanity’s great talent for innovation and resilience to restore ecosystems, invent non-extractive industries, and collectively move towards abundance. Many of these innovations already exist. When brought together, they can form a symbiotic and regenerative economy capable of reconciling intense intelligent human activity and flourishing natural ecosystems.”

Our Support

During 2015, the Foundation has guided Isabelle Delannoy and provided her with support in her vision of this new economic model. A one year salary was secured to allow her and her team to work on its concept. A first book, in French, will be released in 2017 by Actes Sud Editions.

In 2017, in partnership with the EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland), the Foundation is supporting the promotion of Symbiotic Economy with a broader communication and development strategy. The EPFL is working on the project of an interactive computer to measure the impacts of these new economy models.